Long Creek groundbreaking canceled, ribbon cutting is in 6 months

Published: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 11:26 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at 11:35 a.m.

PALM COAST — First it was sub-freezing temperatures and then it was rain.

After two weather-related scratches in a week, city officials decided to cancel the ground-breaking ceremony for Long Creek Nature Preserve.

Construction is scheduled to begin in a matter of days, so city officials have decided to wait six months and hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony, said spokeswoman Cindi Lane.

By then, the first phase of the project will be completed, according to the city.

The future preserve will connect to the 225-acre Long Creek Basin and will be located next to the College Waterway. The facility itself will occupy nine acres and will include fishing, canoeing and kayaking access. Phase 1 will also include construction of a path and boardwalk to the new canoe launches, shoreline stabilization along College Waterway, a fishing pier, a floating dock and a parking lot.

An entrance to the preserve also will be constructed.

The Phase 1 construction will cost about $1.46 million and is being funded by the city and the Florida Inland Navigation District.

Eventually, the preserve will include an environmental education center. City officials have said they hope it becomes a popular wildlife tourist attraction that provides access to some of the best canoeing in the region.

The ground-breaking ceremony originally was scheduled for Jan. 7, but a deep freeze caused it to be postponed for a week. Then rainfall made the conditions too muddy Tuesday morning, so the event had to be scrapped altogether, said Lane.

The nature preserve property, which nearly was the site of a condominium complex, was purchased in 2008 with grant money and donated to the city.

In March 2013, the City Council voted 3-1 to green-light the nature preserve project.

<p><span class="Dateline">PALM COAST —</span> First it was sub-freezing temperatures and then it was rain.</p><p>After two weather-related scratches in a week, city officials decided to cancel the ground-breaking ceremony for Long Creek Nature Preserve.</p><p>Construction is scheduled to begin in a matter of days, so city officials have decided to wait six months and hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony, said spokeswoman Cindi Lane.</p><p>By then, the first phase of the project will be completed, according to the city.</p><p>The future preserve will connect to the 225-acre Long Creek Basin and will be located next to the College Waterway. The facility itself will occupy nine acres and will include fishing, canoeing and kayaking access. Phase 1 will also include construction of a path and boardwalk to the new canoe launches, shoreline stabilization along College Waterway, a fishing pier, a floating dock and a parking lot.</p><p>An entrance to the preserve also will be constructed.</p><p>The Phase 1 construction will cost about $1.46 million and is being funded by the city and the Florida Inland Navigation District.</p><p>Eventually, the preserve will include an environmental education center. City officials have said they hope it becomes a popular wildlife tourist attraction that provides access to some of the best canoeing in the region.</p><p>The ground-breaking ceremony originally was scheduled for Jan. 7, but a deep freeze caused it to be postponed for a week. Then rainfall made the conditions too muddy Tuesday morning, so the event had to be scrapped altogether, said Lane.</p><p>The nature preserve property, which nearly was the site of a condominium complex, was purchased in 2008 with grant money and donated to the city.</p><p>In March 2013, the City Council voted 3-1 to green-light the nature preserve project.</p>